As Lorgar walked through the fortress's long, cold corridors, which echoed with the low hum of machinery, and approached the junction leading to the hangar, Calliphone happened to emerge from a corner in the adjoining passage.
She seemed to have just finished some business and was on her way back to her quarters when the two met by chance in the empty corridor.
"Lady Calliphone." Lorgar stopped, a warm, reassuring smile appearing on his face. He bowed slightly, offering a simple yet solemn courtesy.
Clearly taken aback, Calliphone hurried to a halt, her hands unconsciously folding in front of her. She lowered her head slightly in return, her voice soft but filled with unmistakable respect. "No... you're too kind, Lord Lorgar. I... I should be thanking you. Thank you for coming to see Pert, and for persuading him to rest for a while. It's been so long since he..." She did not finish, but the gratitude in her eyes spoke for itself.
Lorgar shook his head gently. His smile remained warm, but carried an earnestness that was impossible to resist.
"No, Lady Calliphone, there is no need for honorifics, nor for thanks. I did not come here as a 'lord,' merely as Perturabo's brother, doing what I believe a brother ought to do."
Then he took half a step forward and did something unexpected.
With perfect ease, he bent his knees and lowered himself into a crouch, bringing his eyes level with Calliphone's.
The gesture bridged the enormous, ordinarily insurmountable gulf in height and status between a Primarch and a mortal, and felt utterly sincere.
Beneath the corridor's cool white light, Lorgar's bronze face, its profound lines blending divine majesty with humanity, now radiated a strange, comforting glow through his crouched posture and attentive gaze.
It was not actual light,